Do people want to be ‘vulnerable’?

My friend had one of the letters , but shouldn't have had one and his surgery told him that mistakes had been made and that a letter should not have been sent to him.

Im vulnerable and thats restrictive enough cant understand anyone wanting to get ‘a letter’.

I beg your pardon, I have just seen that this is what eventually happened - which is entirely corect.

NoddingGanGan - if you have had the letter (as I have) indicating that you are in an at risk group, then it is clear you should not be at work. Mine tells me quite simply to stay at home for 12 weeks from the date of the letter. You cannot work as a carer from home, so you should be furloughed by your employer.

What do you mean annifrance for heavens sake stop being so precious, !!! Very smug aren’t you. What a nasty individual you sound,

My husband received 'the ' letter early on.
We just wish he wasn't one of that group.
Who in their right mind would want to be?????

There was a general letter sent to every household.
The sheilding letter was sent to individuals and includes your hospital CHI number and your name, blondenanna.

I have mixed feelings after getting, 'the letter' last week. I have known since lock down that I am at high risk and immediately went to my manager to ask if I could be allowed to wear a mask and gloves when dealing with residents (I work for a social care provider as admin but do occasional care shifts in the evenings and weekends because we're so short staffed) . My manager said she would look into it and, according to our company policy, should have done a risk assessment straight away. Nothing was said however, and when I questioned her a few days later, was coldly told that she hadn't had an answer from HO.
When some of our residents began to get, 'the letter' a register was set up of, 'shielded' residents and strict instructions given to staff to wear more PPE when visiting these residents for whatever purpose.
It also came to light that some members of staff had been taking face masks when delivering personal care to residents, usually because they live with, 'shielding' relatives. I was also berated for doing so. I stood my ground and said that I believed I should be in the, 'shielded' group so I intended to continue to wear them. My manager then took me to one side and finally asked me about my health conditions and put a risk assessment in place which basically said I was excused from working closely with any resident showing symptoms and to wear a mask when working closely with anyone else. Two days later I got, 'the letter' and was bundled out of the workplace on furlough with quite indecent haste, not having the opportunity to properly hand over my role or been given a proper furlough letter (it's very vague and has no date). The only people I have ever seen treated this way are those who have left under a cloud after disciplinary action and I don't know whether to feel relieved (I'm not in so much physical danger any more) or scared that I'm going to find myself on SSP and totally unable to cope. Also not sure if I'll have a job to go back to when it's all over and, at my age, with my health conditions, not likely to get another.

It seems the list has changed its name.
This list, originally referred to as the Vulnerable Patient List (VPL), has been renamed the shielded patient list (SPL).
Interesting reading, crimpedhalo. Thank you.

I am glad l am only vulnerable (asthma). I would far rather be non-vulnerable. I am extremely glad l do not qualify for the letter.

annifrance, I understand where you are coming from, isn`t it harsh to respond back to her in a "harsh" manner?

just saying
so what I want to know in all of this furore

is... what is different, about reaching the physical age of 70, then suggests that I am more vulnerable to this virus?

yes, call me a simpleton,,

I am 83, coming on 84,, (good grief! really! duh) that to myself... I have slight high bp, taking medication for years, and like so many take simvastin. I think because of family history...

so why am I grouped up in this vulnerable group? and it has made me more vulnerable all this from whoever... now I am scared to go out, not that I am allowed....

and my mental capacity has deteriorated.. before all of this. I think many people who know me, knew me! would have guessed at my age in my early 70`s.... truly!

now I really feel my age, both physically and mentally

and I suspect there are many more like me

and another thing

I thought "they" were saying there are too many old people, that we are a drain on Government money
and that`s another thing.. STOP SAYING GOVERNMENT MONEY, it is ours,, taxpayers money,, the Government just take it and spend it on our behalf...

if only! o.k I a smiling here,, I do have a strange sense of humour..
well you gorra larf,, innit, whatever..
I know,, it isn`t funny for everyone... before someone jumps on me!

In truth we are all vulnerable and could die from this virus. I think the government drew an arbitrary line, because they couldn't really afford to have us all shielded at home hoping some fairy godmother might be working in the shops and delivering groceries by magic

Were 2 different letters sent out? i received what seemed like general one to everyone, to keep safe,or i didn't read it properly , but i didn't get a second one
I would be classed as vulnerable probably because of age, but didn't see anything in it that said any different

I am shielded and have The Letter and believe me I'd rather not be included on that list, it is quite scary to read. My sister however who suffers with atrial fibrillation, high blood pressure and Parkinson's and takes warfarin has not been sent a letter. None of these conditions are considered high risk.
Nonetheless she is also voluntarily shielding.

dragonfly perhaps there will be special days when those who are shielded will be let out of gaol and everyone else made to stay at home under lockdown.

I thought that too Callistemon, aren't you glad you don't have to speak to people like that in real life.
It may not last for ever, but some of us have shortened life spans anyway and may not last till our 12 week lockdown is over.

annifrance, you haven't a clue what life is like for we precious people. If you do, then show some support.

Thats a bit harsh annifrance I have heard we could still be kept inside until autumn 2021 and at our age that is no joke. My life has already been on hold for 18 months due to treatment for cancer and I do not fancy another 18!

growstuff
I know you know I know!!

I had letter I’m high risk cannot leave house/Garden I’d love not to be vulnerable I consider myself lucky though and truly grateful that I have family that can get what I need shopping wise, I’d love to go for a walk but sadly can’t, but feel safe at home, I’m on two different immuno suppresents ive had several texts too from nhs. Of course I miss going out, but I’m not that daft to set foot outside my garden

Oh my god 56GrannyLaine really? Well that's me totally done for then if I get Covid-19.
I swear GN friends, I bleedin detest this Virus. ??? Xxxx

Barnet, thanks for the advice. I've had a Tesco account for years and am registered as Sheilding.
However, there are still no slots.
I have plenty of support, so I can't complain.

annifrance.

What a rude comment to people who are vulnerable and worried.

stop being so precious
Perhaps you should think before you come across as spiteful and smug.

digital.nhs.uk/coronavirus/shielded-patient-list

worth a read

There is another side to this idea about vulnerable people needing support - assumption and overkill (sorry but can't think of another word). I am 70 and picked up my mobile last week to see two missed calls from my GP surgery. I was surprised and a little bit perturbed, because I have had no dealings with the surgery for near on a year. Couldn't think what they would want with me.

No message was left so I called the surgery and held on for ages listening to a message about how we shouldn't be making unnecessary calls to the surgery at this time (!).

Eventually got through to a receptionist who then after more time came back to say that a nurse from the practice had called to "reassure me at this difficult time". You could have knocked me over with a feather. I wanted to say Don't you have patients to look after!? Instead I blurted out to please put on my notes that I was fit and healthy and following guidance and to please make sure that no one from the practice need worry about reassuring me! I did remember to say thank you too ...

For heaven's sake stop being so 'precious'!! The sadly lacking government is trying to protect you a nd regarding you as precious in the true meaning of the word.

Get a grip and get on with it, it's not going to last forever.